NEWS


Launch and delivery Bourbon takes on


first MACS PSV Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group has delivered the first of a series of four platform supply vessels (PSVs) to Bourbon Offshore Norway, all of which are intended to partake in North Sea operations. Te 3950gt Bourbon Front was designed by Ulstein Design, to the specifi- cations of the group’s Multi Application Cargo System (MACS) concept, incorporating combination tanks designed for various cargos, such as dry bulk, synthetic fluids, fuel oils and recovered oil. Te Chinese-built vessel is reportedly the first Bourbon ship to incorpo- rate Ulstein’s MACS design. Bourbon Front features a length of 88.9m, a moulded


breadth of 19mm, a depth of 8m and a maximum draught of 6.6m, and the vessel boasts a total of 20 tanks, comprising: eight MACS tanks, with a total capacity of 925m3 538m3


; six product tanks, accommodating


of cargo in total; and six low flash point liquid tanks, featuring a combined capacity of 450m3


. Her


hull is based on Ulstein’s X-Bow design, for reduced pitching, onboard noise and vibrations. Te vessel also incorporates Mecmar’s wet exhaust


system, with the engine exhausts positioned just above the water line, reducing the need for funnels and granting the wheelhouse a near 360° panoramic view. Te vessel’s gross cargo deck area is 1017m2


Renewables Shale gas surge


stands to rival LNG Unconventional gas could prove to be one of the biggest game changers in the renewable energy market, perhaps even overtaking liquefied natural gas (LNG), accord- ing to a report issued by analyst Douglas-Westwood. Pointing to the upsurge in shale gas exploitation in North America, the analyst claimed that the production of unconventional gas could rise from 450 billion cubic metres (bcm) today to 800bcm by 2020. While shale gas exploration, or ‘fracking’, has taken off


in the US, such developments are relatively low in other countries, although Douglas-Westwood has predicted that this is set to change, with shale gas exploration projects on the up in Europe and Asia-Pacific, or, more specifically, Poland, Australia and China, many of which are expected to achieve fruition mid-decade. Te news, while no doubt welcomed by governments


and


her total complement accommodates 25 persons. Bourbon Front’s maximum speed is rated at 15.5knots, courtesy of four 1700kW main diesel engines, and two 2500kW twin propeller azimuth thrusters, two 1400kW bow tunnel thrusters and an 850kW bow retractable azimuth thruster. Te vessel is classed by Det Norske Veritas. Sinopacific will also build and deliver her forthcom-


ing sister vessels, Bourbon Clear, Bourbon Calm and Bourbon Rainbow.


seeking to push low-carbon drives, could provide less comfort for the offshore oil and gas sector, seeking to consolidate gains made in Latin America and Africa, and hoping to break into the Arctic market from 2015-2016 onwards. Joseph Dutton, who authored the report for Douglas-Westwood, said: “Since 2010, in excess of US$70 billion has been spent on mergers and acquisi- tions-related transactions involving unconventional gas operators and service companies…unconventional gas will play a fundamental role in primary energy produc- tion in the future.”


Contract STX Finland lands


offshore duo build STX Finland has moved another step towards its goal of cracking the offshore newbuilding market following the group’s seizure of a contract, valued in excess of US$410 million, to build and deliver two well intervention vessels for Eide Marine Services. Each of the twin vessels will feature a length of 122m and


a breadth of 45m, as well as a deadweight of 31,000tonnes. According to STX Finland, work on the vessel’s hulls is scheduled to commence in April and June 2012, with delivery from the group’s STX Rauma yard planned for March and June 2013. Both vessels will be equipped with DP3 dynamic


The 88.9m Bourbon Front is the first of four platform supply vessels incorporating Ulstein’s Multi Application Cargo System design (credit: Bourbon Offshore).


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positioning systems, and they are intended to operate on the Brazilian continental shelf, an area prone to rough open sea conditions. Timo Suistio, chief operating officer, STX Finland, commented: “Te project is very challeng- ing, both in terms of the amount of outfitting work and the management of several global networking entities.”


Offshore Marine Technology 4th Quarter 2011


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